The Lamplighter Lifestyle in University Heights

University Heights is one of those neighborhoods you usually discover by making a wrong turn when confronted with the confusing merge where Park Boulevard meets Washington Street.

Before you know it, you've stumbled upon the quaint little neighborhood of University Heights and you find yourself cruising through the row of coffee shops and bistros that adorn the boulevard. Though University Heights may not have the beach or the glitter of the Gaslamp, there are certainly plenty of reasons to make this tiny little district, on the outskirts of North Park, your original destination.

The Lamplighter, proclaimed by some as the "number one dive bar" in the North Park area, a difficult title to wrestle for, considering the nature of bars in this locale, is the ultimate watering hole in the neighborhood and gives patrons, whether residents or not, a reason to flock to this joint seven days a week. Each night at nine, The Lamplighter hosts a fierce karaoke competition for any and all who dare to take the mic. Thankfully, for those of us who would like to show off our skills but cannot cajole ourselves to take the plunge without a trusty cocktail in hand, the Lamplighter also has a happy hour beforehand and pours some pretty stiff drinks.

Despite that strong Crown and Ginger, the crowd can often be somewhat intimidating, especially when it means performing Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious" when gazing into the eyes of the dark-haired, tattooed rock-a-billy chick that just blew everyone out of the water with her version of some Social D radio single. But there's good news. Grab a cold one from The Lamplighter's vast selection of bottled and draft beers and head on over to the pool tables and indulge in that good-old fashioned dive bar sport. And if that isn't enough, you can slink on over to a darkened booth and drown your shame in a few shots of tequila. By that time, you might just be ready to take her on.

Insider Tip: Making friends is the key to a successful evening, so buy your bartenders a drink. There's a good chance they just might return the favor.